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My stay at Mr Martin’s Cozy Place was kindly sponsored however, as always, all views are my own.

This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.

Friendly Folk

From the cheery welcome I got when I first arrived at Mr Martin’s Cozy Place – having just flown overnight from London on a total of 2 hours sleep and looking a little worse for wear! – and every time I saw the staff from then on, I had nothing but cheery faces and helpful smiles greet me.

From answering questions to giving advice, these ladies and gents couldn’t do enough and they genuinely seemed to love their job and each other.

Their English was top notch too – always a relief unless you’ve got a decent amount of Amharic under your belt which, let’s be honest most don’t!

There really was a great family atmosphere at this place, created mostly by the people who work here, and when you arrive in a big bad city like Addis, this really is magic.

In keeping with typical Ethiopian hospitality, nothing was too much trouble for these guys and that sort of atmosphere goes a long way in my book.

Quiet and Peaceful

Another thing that goes a long way in my book, especially as I get older (cough cough) is a lovely, peaceful and friendly hostel in terms of the guests as well and I’m delighted that Mr Martin’s Cozy Place ticked this box too.

I do find that the average backpacker in Ethiopia is generally more up for having an interesting discussion and a beer, rather than noisily coming home wasted in the early hours (thank god) and Mr Martin’s Cozy Place tallied perfectly with this vibe.

The feeling throughout the place was very relaxed and despite the hostel’s great central location (read on to learn more) I was amazed at how little noise from the surrounding city entered the peaceful grounds.

Yup this little gem felt like a very safe haven, just another reason I’m voting it the best hostel in Addis Ababa.

#3 Long, Thin Trousers – Perfect for those cold Addis evenings. Columbia do a great range for women.

#4 Good Camera – An absolute must if you’re looking to capture the incredible landscape and cultural practices of Ethiopia. I love my mirrorless Sony A6000, which is light, compact and robust – ideal for Africa travel.

#6 Travel Scarf or Sarong – Whether it’s covering your shoulders in churches, wrapping round you at night as a shawl or using as a pillow on long bus journeys, a travel scarfis a great multi-purpose travel item.

#7 Ethiopia Lonely Planet – For the maps alone this guidebook is well worth a buy, although I found the history, language and cuisine sections also super useful.

All the Amenities

As a blogger nerd, I was also delighted with Mr Martin’s free wifi provision and more than made up with their free breakfast too, which included fruit, cereal, eggs, bread, spreads and that all important coffee.

Having free breakfast is just one less thing to worry about if you’re new to Ethiopia and so is the fact these guys sell large bottles of water at decent prices.

Maps on the wall, complete with helpful instructions, point out the best spots in Addis with directions and transport links if required.

There’s a kitchen for guest use too, as well as a living and dining area, with good seating and ample space.

That’s in addition to the lovely outside patio and garden area, complete with hammock and chairs – the ideal spot for drinking your morning coffee and taking in those crisp, clear, blue sky Addis mornings.

Oh yeah!

Beautiful Bedrooms

Finally, I’m pleased to announce I slept like a log throughout my 4 night stay at Mr Martin’s Cozy Place.

The beds were so comfy, the rooms were big and mega clean.

I had a shared bathroom, which was always spotless, but there are also some rooms available here with ensuite and balconies too.

There’s no doubt that Mr Martin’s Cozy Place is a top choice for me and I’ll certainly be returning to my new favourite hostel in Addis Ababa, hopefully for many trips to come.

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About the Author

About the Author: Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a budget travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie backpacks the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile More from this author.

WHO IS BIG WORLD SMALL POCKETS?

Hi there, my name’s Steph and I’m a travel addict! Never one for staying at home and working for too long, I’ve always had to make sure I can travel cheap to fund my nomadic lifestyle. #BWSP was created to share with you the highs and lows of happy, healthy budget travel – the sort of real, wild, [...] Read More

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